EQ1: Processes Within The Hydrological Cycle

Question 1

What is the hydrological cycle

Answer 1

• it’s a closed system with no external inputs so the volume of water is finite and constant

Question 2

What is the Cryosphere and biosphere

Answer 2

Cryosphere = water stored in ice sheets, water stored in solid form

Biosphere = water stored in plants, vegetation and animals

Question 3

What drives the hydrological cycle

Answer 3

Solar energy - the sun evaporates water from oceans, lakes and rivers

Also other water moves from plants to the atmosphere through transpiration

Question 4

Define fluxes

Answer 4

Measure of the rate of flow between stores

Question 5

What are the inputs of the hydrological cycle

Answer 5

Precipitation

Question 6

What are the stores of the hydrological cycle

Answer 6

-lakes
- soil
- reservoirs
- groundwater
- interception = leaves and vegetation intercept the water
- rivers

Question 7

What are the flows in the hydrological cycle

Answer 7

1 - through flow = when water seeps through the soil
2 - channel flow = the movement of water within a channel
3 - surface run-off = excess water flowing over the earths surface
4 - base flow = water travelling deeper under ground than channel flow, flowing into the channel over a long period

Question 8

What are the outputs of the hydrological cycle

Answer 8

• Evaporation
• transpiration

Question 9

Define residence time

Answer 9

The average time a water molecule will spend in a store

Question 10

Define fossil water

Answer 10

Ancient deep groundwater from former pluvial periods